When Daniel Grubaugh Couldn’t Decide Between Truck and Car, This Custom Charger “Ute” Was The Solution
The combination car and truck proved to be a popular choice for many from the 1950s through the 1980s. The well-known ones are the Ford Ranchero, the Chevrolet El Camino and the GMC Sprint / Caballero.
The popularity started back up when General Motors’ Holden division made the Ute available from 2000 until 2017. Sadly for US buyers, is was limited to sale in Australia only.
Daniel Grubaugh didn’t try and import a Ute, or go the classic car route. Instead, he did what Dodge didn’t; create a “coupe utility” as his nod to the Ute.
Starting with a 2006 Dodge Charger, Grubaugh worked to create his vision on a budget. He kept the driveline stock, including the 5.7-liter HEMI engine with 213,000 miles on it, allowing him to focus on his vision of the ultimate car and truck combination.
Sick The Mag keeps its web articles ad-free thanks to merch sales and magazine subscriptions. Thank you to all of you who wear our stuff and read our books!
Once completed, Grubaugh embarked on his first drag-and-drive, the 2022 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. Making the long drive from California to Florida to compete, Grubaugh entered the Naturally Aspirated class, and finished the week with a 13.88 average.
The experience encouraged him to enter Hot Rod Drag Week, so Grubaugh once again made his way east from California to participate. He entered the Small Block Naturally Aspirated class, this time completing the event with a 14.52 average.
Grubaugh returned to Sick Week in 2023, switching to the Dial Your Own (DYO) class, and finishing with an average of 13.80. He is entered in Sick Summer, and hopes to run Hot Rod Drag Week as well in 2023.
“I never dreamed I’d get into Sick Week last year,” Grubaugh admits. “Now I have run three drag-and-drive events. These have become my vacation! Finishing the events, meeting new people and making memories make all the miles worth it!”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of KWS Images and Motion Raceworks.